EAST COAST FINISHERS INC
work with my mom
because they are so
during vacations and
little.”
breaks,” Lydia said.
Lydia says a lot
“I always really felt at
of things are chang-
home and very invit-
ing now as DPS has
ed. I felt comfortable.
become the Detroit
When I decided to
Public Schools
be a teacher, I always
Community District.
wanted to work in an
“There are new poli-
urban setting. Once
cies and teachers are
I did my interview
struggling; but within
at DPS at Coleman
my school, we have a
Young, I instantly felt
passionate principal,
at home like when I
and we all decided we
went with my mom
would stick together
to work.” Lydia just
for the kids.”
started her third year Flo Paterni likes to visit her
But the job hasn’t
daughter Lydia Paterni’s
at the school.
come without some
kindergarten class. Flo taught
“It was a valuable
hassles.
in Detroit for more than 35
experience when
“I have been pushed
years.
my mom’s students
by parents,” Lydia said.
would come out to
“I usually can de-esca-
our house,” she said.
late things quickly, but
“It was interesting to see the different
it is scary. There are times when par-
cultures on a more informal, personal
ents have not been dealing with disci-
level. We went to their homes and
pline in a good way. I’ve talked to the
birthday parties and different functions principal in tears, but there’s only so
and they to ours. It was very cool to see. much you can do. But it feels reward-
“I think it’s easier for my generation, ing, especially when I can help parents
but in reverse — people in Detroit
learn ways to discipline. Parents 100
accept us as teachers. Black history is
percent want the best for their kids.
a very big deal in February, and there
This is a different culture, and it’s built
are times when I’ll have my black
on respect. They will respect you if
teacher’s aide step in and talk. It’s cool
you respect them.”
to have it from both sides.
Lydia says she believes she’s giv-
“In kindergarten, we have to talk
ing her students a good foundation.
a lot about race,” she said. “The kids
“I incorporate art and music in the
mention it all the time. My hair, my
classroom. I have little instruments
skin. I’ve also had a couple little girls
— xylophones and maracas. My mom
say, ‘I wish I was white like you.’ I tell
comes in and teaches songs and tells
them ‘I’m not white, but more peach
stories. They call her Mama Paterni.
like a beach. You’re more like pea-
“I think I’ll stay in Detroit for a
nut butter.’ It’s cool to talk about this
while,” she said. “I love my school.”
*
sports are shared, but academics are
mainly separate.
Saar was originally with Teach for
America and taught for seven years
in Philadelphia before returning in
2011 to Detroit, where he has held a
number of educational administra-
tive positions.
“I always wanted my own school
to get to know the kids and families
over generations,” he says.
At Mumford, he was given the
opportunity to serve as principal of
Mumford Academy, the ninth grade
with 100 students. He was able to
hire teachers at a higher salary and
set up a special curriculum.
“Most of our students are three
years behind in math and reading,
but we have raised standards and
expectations for the kids,” he says.
Each class has 20-25 students and
each student spends time with the
same adviser daily during all four
years of high school.
Results after one year were
encouraging. Students in Saar’s pro-
gram posted the highest test scores
in the EAA and scored above average
on a national test measuring stu-
dent growth. In addition, Mumford
exceeded its enrollment targets for
the 2016-17 school year.
This year, 10th graders were added
to the program.
*
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October 13 • 2016
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